10 Important Steps to Plan Your RV Trip

By Jessica Sanders

Nine out of 10 current RV owners think that RVing is the best way to travel as a family, according to research by Louis Harris and Associates. And, for good reason. With everything you need on board, a comfortable place to rest and affordable campgrounds to park at, it's a great way to spend time with your family.

If you're planning an RV trip, there are 10 important things to do before hitting the open road.

1. Outline Your Route

Do you want to take the scenic route, avoid paying tolls, or get to your destination quickly? Answering this question will help determine your stopping points and the places you plan to stay along the way. Be sure to consider time of year, winter RV trips are best done in the southern part of the country, whereas summer trips are more flexible.

2. Create Your Timeline

Once you know what route you plan to take, you should create a timeline. This outlines how far you'll drive each day, the roadside attractions you want to stop and see, and the time of day you plan to arrive at your destinations. When you plan your RV camping timeline, don't forget to leave room for fun stops so you to stretch your legs and sightsee along the way.

3. Build a Budget

When you have a budget in place, you can determine how often you'll eat out, how many groceries to buy, and how much money you can place into an emergency fund in the event that something expensive breaks. This will also help regulate which campgrounds or RV parks you can afford to stay at along the way.

4. Purchase RV Insurance

If you don't already have it, be sure to purchase insurance. Especially on a long RV trip, you want to be sure your rig, and everything in it, is safe in case of an accident. Call your current auto insurance company; they should be able to add an RV to your current policy, although, some companies don't cover motorhomes.

5. Know Your Electrical Load

Unlike your home, an RV isn't built to run all of your appliances at one time. Michele Boyer, a writer and full-time RVer recommends labeling your appliances to stay aware of your power usage. She says, "Our RV is 30 amps. We labeled our appliances with the number of amps they draw. Our toaster is 14 amps and egg cooker is 5 amps, so we can't run the 15 amp air conditioner when making breakfast." A system like this keeps the RV running and everyone safe.

About the Author

Jessica Sanders

Jessica Sanders is the Associate Online Editor for ReserveAmerica.com. After many years of camping and hiking in the Northeast, she's exploring what the West has to offer and sharing all of her knowledge with you. She's a s'mores master, campsite connoisseur, writer, runner and lover of all things outdoors. Follow her on Google+

Jessica Sanders is the Associate Online Editor for ReserveAmerica.com. After many years of camping and hiking in the Northeast, she's exploring what the West has to offer and sharing all of her knowledge with you. She's a s'mores master, campsite connoisseur, writer, runner and lover of all things outdoors. Follow her on Google+

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